Tobacco products and processes

ABSTRACT

A tobacco product incorporates at least one anthocyanin compound or derivative thereof. Anthocyanin compounds can be incorporated into the filter element or other components of a mouth end piece of a cigarette. The tobacco product also can have a smokeless form, and can be a smokeless tobacco product characterized as “snus;” and within that smokeless tobacco composition or formulation is incorporated anthocyanin compounds. Tobacco in green or yellow form can be cured by first placing that tobacco in intimate contact with at least one sugar and/or salt, and subjecting that tobacco to curing conditions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tobacco products, and in particular, totobacco product formulations incorporating various ingredients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tobacco has been enjoyed as a result of the use of smoking articles,such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Tobacco also has been enjoyed in aso-called “smokeless” form. Particularly popular smokeless tobaccoproducts are employed by inserting some form of processed tobacco ortobacco-containing formulation into the mouth of the user.

Cigarettes generally have a substantially cylindrical rod shapedstructure and include a charge, roll or column of smokable material,such as shredded tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form), surrounded by apaper wrapper, thereby forming a so-called “smokable rod” or “tobaccorod.” Normally, a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned inan end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a filterelement comprises cellulose acetate tow that is plasticized usingtriacetin, wherein the tow is circumscribed by a paper material known as“plug wrap.” A cigarette can incorporate a filter element havingmultiple segments, and one of those segments can comprise activatedcharcoal particles. The filter element may be attached to one end of thetobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as “tippingpaper,” in order to provide a so-called “filtered cigarette.” It alsohas become desirable, in some instances, to perforate the tippingmaterial and plug wrap, in order to provide dilution of drawn mainstreamsmoke with ambient air. Descriptions of cigarettes and the variouscomponents thereof are set forth in Tobacco Production, Chemistry andTechnology, Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999). The resulting cigarette isemployed by a smoker by lighting one end thereof and burning the tobaccorod. The smoker then receives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth bydrawing on the opposite end (e.g., the filter end) of the cigarette.

Various types of smokeless tobacco products are set forth in U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,376,586 to Schwartz; 4,513,756 to Pittman et al.; 4,528,993 toSensabaugh, Jr. et al.; 4,624,269 to Story et al.; 4,987,907 toTownsend; 5,092,352 to Sprinkle, III et al.; 5,387,416 to White et al.;and Des. 335,934 to Howard; U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2005/0244521 toStrickland et al.; 2006/0162732 to Winn et al.; 2006/0191548 toStrickland et al., 2007/0261707 to Winterson et al., 2007/0062549 toHolton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2008/0156338 toWinterson et al.; and 2008/0166395 to Roush; PCT Pub. Nos. WO 04/095959to Arnarp et al.; WO 05/063060 to Atchley et al.; WO 06/004480 toEngstrom; WO 05/041699 to Quinter et al.; and WO 07/138,484 to Wrenn etal.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/781,604 to Dube et al.;each of which is incorporated herein by reference. One type of smokelesstobacco product is referred to as “snuff.” Snuff typically is formulatedin “moist” or “dry” forms.

Representative smokeless tobacco products have been marketed under thetrade names Oliver Twist by House of Oliver Twist A/S; Copenhagen,Skoal, SkoalDry, Rooster, Red Seal, Husky, and Revel by U.S. SmokelessTobacco Co.; “taboka” by Philip Morris USA; and Levi Garrett, Peachy,Taylor's Pride, Kodiak, Hawken Wintergreen, Grizzly, Dental, KentuckyKing, Mammoth Cave by Conwood Sales Co., L.P., Interval by Brown &Williamson Tobacco Corp., and Ariva and Stonewall by Star Scientific,Inc.

Representative types of snuff products, commonly referred to as “snus,”are manufactured in Europe, particularly in Sweden, by or throughcompanies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB,Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S and Rocker Production AB. Snus productsavailable in the U.S.A. are marketed under the trade names Camel SnusFrost, Camel Snus Original and Camel Snus Spice by R. J. ReynoldsTobacco Company. Various types of packaging for those types of productsare set forth in PCT Pub. Nos. WO 08/066,450 and WO 08/066,451, both toSjöberg et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; andU.S. Pat. App. Nos. 29/297,520 and 29/297,517, both to Patel et al.

It would be desirable to provide tobacco products incorporatingcomponents that provide enjoyment and satisfaction when employed by auser of those products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tobacco products. The tobacco productcan have the form of a smoking article, and within that smoking articleis incorporated an amount of anthocyanin or derivative thereof. Forexample, at least one anthocyanin or derivative thereof can beincorporated into a filter element or other components of a mouth endpiece of a cigarette. The tobacco product also can have a smokelessform, and can be a smokeless tobacco product characterized as “snus;”and within that smokeless tobacco composition or formulation isincorporated an amount of anthocyanin or derivative thereof. Anexemplary smokeless tobacco formulation includes some form of at leastone type of tobacco, and may include, in addition to at least oneanthocyanin-type compound, other ingredients, such as salts, sweeteners,binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, flavoring agents,disintegration aids, antioxidants, humectants, and preservatives.

The present invention also relates to tobacco products or tobaccoformulations containing tobacco flowers, extracted essential oils orother chemicals from tobacco flowers, or artificially synthesizedtobacco floral volatiles or other chemicals found in tobacco flowers.

The tobacco product, or tobacco formulation can also incorporate theflowers of a tobacco plant, or the extracted essential oils or otherchemicals from tobacco flowers. Representative chemicals that may beisolated from tobacco flowers are known by those skilled in the art, andare available in online databases such as Pherobase.com under the GenusNicotiana. Naturally occurring, or artificially synthesized tobaccofloral volatiles and other chemicals may be added to the tobacco ortobacco formulation in order to add flavor. Flowers may be processed andthen added to the tobacco product or tobacco formulation in order to addflavor and/or texture. Extracted essential oils may also be added to addflavor.

The present invention also relates to cured tobacco and processes forproviding cured tobacco. Tobacco in green or yellow form can be cured byfirst placing that tobacco in intimate contact with at least one sugarand/or salt, and subjecting that tobacco to curing conditions. Theresulting cured tobacco so provided can be used for the production oftobacco products, and in particular, smokeless tobacco products.

In one aspect, tobacco product incorporated an exogenous amount of atleast one anthocyanin-type compound.

In one aspect, a tobacco product is configured for insertion into themouth of a user of that product and comprises a water-permeable pouchcontaining a tobacco formulation including a granular tobaccocomposition and an exogenous amount of an anthocyanin-type compound.

In one aspect, a tobacco product is configured for insertion into themouth of a user of that product and comprises a granular tobaccocomposition enclosed within a water-permeable pouch that has beenreacted with an anthocyanin-type compound.

In one aspect, a tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouthof a user of that product comprises a granular tobacco compositionenclosed within a water-permeable pouch that is coated with ananthocyanin-type compound.

In one aspect, a method of curing tobacco comprises the steps ofproviding a tobacco material, contacting the surface of the tobaccomaterial with an amount of a curing additive comprising an amount of atleast one sugar, and curing the tobacco material under conditions oftemperature and for a time sufficient to produce cured tobacco.

In one aspect, a method of curing tobacco comprises the steps ofproviding a tobacco material, contacting the surface of said tobaccomaterial with an amount of a mixture of at least one sugar and at leastone salt, and curing the tobacco material under conditions oftemperature and for a time sufficient to produce cured tobacco.

In one aspect, a tobacco product incorporates tobacco flowers.

In one aspect, a tobacco product incorporates at least one chemicalcompound isolated from tobacco flowers.

In one aspect, a tobacco product incorporates at least one artificiallysynthesized chemical compound found in tobacco flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to provide an understanding of embodiments of the invention,reference is made to the appended drawings, in which reference numeralsrefer to components of described exemplary embodiments of the invention.The drawings are exemplary only, and should not be construed as limitingthe invention.

FIG. 1. is an exploded perspective view of a smoking article having theform of a cigarette.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless tobacco product in theform of a snus type of product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. The inventions may be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout. As used in this specificationand the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The tobacco product, or tobacco formulation, incorporates at least oneanthocyanin and/or at least one derivative thereof (e.g., anthocyaninsaccharides, such as the anthocyanin glucosides). Exemplaryanthocyanin-type compounds include pelargonidin, peonidin, cyanidin,delphinidin and malvidin, and glycosides thereof (e.g., cyanidin 3glucopyranoside and deplhinidin 3 glucopyranoside). Anthocyanin-typecompounds can be obtained from natural sources, such as bilberry,blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, boysenberry, sweet cherry, hawthorne,cranberry and strawberry (e.g., as components of extracts obtained fromthose natural sources). Anthocyanin compounds, such as cyanidin 3glucopyranoside and deplhinidin 3 glucopyranoside, are syntheticallyproduced. Exemplary anthocyanin compositions have been available asMP865 from Biolink Group AS of Norway. See also, for example, Wang etal., Cancer Letters, 269 (2008) 281-290.

The tobacco product, or tobacco formulation can also incorporate theflowers of a tobacco plant, or the extracted essential oils or otherchemicals from tobacco flowers. Representative chemicals that may beisolated from tobacco flowers are known by those skilled in the art, andare available in online databases such as Pherobase.com under the GenusNicotiana. Naturally occurring, or artificially synthesized tobaccofloral volatiles and other chemicals may be added to the tobacco ortobacco formulation in order to add flavor. Flowers may be processed andthen added to the tobacco product or tobacco formulation in order to addflavor and/or texture. Extracted essential oils may also be added to addflavor.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a smoking article 10 in the form ofa cigarette and possessing certain representative components of asmoking article of the present invention. The cigarette 10 includes agenerally cylindrical rod 12 of a charge or roll of smokable fillermaterial 24 contained in a circumscribing wrapping material 16. The rod12 is conventionally referred to as a “tobacco rod.” The ends of thetobacco rod 12 are open to expose the smokable filler material. Thecigarette 10 is shown as having one optional band 22 (e.g., a printedcoating including a film-forming agent, such as starch, ethylcellulose,or sodium alginate) applied to the wrapping material 16, and that band22 circumscribes the cigarette rod 12 in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette 10. That is, the band 22 provides across-directional region relative to the longitudinal axis of thecigarette 10. The band 22 can be printed on the inner surface of thewrapping material (i.e., facing the smokable filler material), or lesspreferably, on the outer surface of the wrapping material. Although thecigarette can possess a wrapping material having one optional band, thecigarette also can possess wrapping material having further optionalspaced bands numbering two, three, or more.

At one end of the tobacco rod 12 is the lighting end 18, and at themouth end 20 is positioned a filter rod 26. The filter rod 26 ispositioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 12 such that the filterrod 26 and tobacco rod 12 are axially aligned in an end-to-endrelationship, preferably abutting one another. Filter rod 26 may have agenerally cylindrical shape, and the diameter thereof may be essentiallyequal to the diameter of the tobacco rod. The ends of the filter rod 26permit the passage of air and smoke therethrough. Various types ofcigarette components, including tobacco types, tobacco blends, topdressing and casing materials, blend packing densities and types ofpaper wrapping materials for tobacco rods, can be employed; and varioustypes of filter components or segments can be employed. See, forexample, those smoking article components, and smoking article designs,formats, configurations and characteristics set forth and referenced inU.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0029118 to Nelson et al., which is incorporatedherein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an embodiment of a smokeless tobaccoproduct 38 that includes a moisture-permeable pouch 48. The pouch 48 issealed along its length at an overlap region 52. The overlap region maybe formed by sealing the bottom portion of one edge of the pouch 48 overthe top portion of the opposite edge of the pouch (e.g., by heatsealing, suitable adhesive, or other suitable means). Exemplary fleecematerials include BFF's SDH27 Natural Grade and BFF's SDH27 Brown. Asolid tobacco material 55 is disposed within the pouch 48.

Suitable packets, pouches or containers of the type used for themanufacture of smokeless tobacco products are available under the tradenames “taboka,” CatchDry, Ettan, General, Granit, Goteborgs Rape,GrovSnus White, Metropol Kaktus, Mocca Anis, Mocca Mint, MoccaWintergreen, Kicks, Probe, Prince, Skruf, TreAnkrare, Camel SnusOriginal, Camel Snus Frost and Camel Snus Spice. The tobacco formulationmay be contained in pouches and packaged, in a manner and using thetypes of components used for the manufacture of conventional snusproducts. The pouch or fleece provides a liquid-permeable container of atype that may be considered to be similar in character to the mesh-liketype of material that is used for the construction of a tea bag.Components of the loosely arranged, granular tobacco formulation readilydiffuse through the pouch 78 and into the mouth of the user.

Descriptions of various components of snus products and componentsthereof also are set forth in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0118422 to Lundinet al., which is incorporated herein by reference. See, also, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,607,479 to Linden; 4,631,899 to Nielsen;5,346,734 to Wydick et al.; and 6,162,516 to Derr; and U.S. Pat. Pub.No. 2005/0061339 to Hansson et al. and Ser. No. 12/181,051 to Brinkleyet al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See, also,the representative types of pouches, and pouch material or fleece, setforth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,244 to Kjerstad, which is incorporatedherein by reference. Snus products can be manufactured using equipmentsuch as that available as SB 51-1/T, SBL 50 and SB 53-2/T from MerzVerpackungmaschinen GmBH. G.D SpA of Italy also supplies tobaccopouching equipment.

Other types or forms of smokeless tobacco products, and methods fortheir preparation, are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,513,756 to Pittmanet al. and 5,387,416 to White et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2006/0191548to Strickland et al. and 2008/0029110 to Dube et al.; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 11/781,666 to Mua et al. and 12/181,051 toBrinkley et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Tobaccos used for the manufacture of tobacco products can vary. Thetobaccos may include types of tobaccos, such as flue-cured tobacco,burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco,dark-fired tobacco, dark air-cured and sun cured tobaccos, as well asthe various Nicotiana species and Rustica tobaccos, as well as variousrare or specialty tobaccos. Descriptions of various types of tobaccos,growing practices, harvesting practices and curing practices are setforth in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al.(Eds.) (1999), which is incorporated herein by reference. See, also, thetypes of tobaccos that are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,660,577 toSensabaugh, Jr. et al.; 5,387,416 to White et al.; 6,730,832 toDominguez et al.; and 7,025,066 to Lawson et al.; U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos.2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. et al. and 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. etal.; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/781,666 to Mua et al. and12/181,051 to Brinkley et al.; each of which is incorporated herein byreference. See, also, PCT WO 2007/089613 to Lawrence et al., which areincorporated herein by reference. Tobaccos can be employed in so-called“straight grade” form (e.g., as one tobacco type), or as blends ofvarious amounts of different tobacco types.

The tobacco can be genetically altered, bred or cultivated. For example,tobaccos can be genetically altered, bred or cultivated to possess arelatively high level of at least one anthocyanin-type compound in anyor all of the plant including, for example, the flowers, leaves, stems,stalks, roots or other portions. See, for example, the types oftechnologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 7,304,207 to Connors et al. andU.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0242735 to Fader et al.; which are incorporatedherein by reference. See also Butelli et al., Nature BiotechnologyAdvance Online Publication (26 Oct. 2008), doi: 10.1038/nbt.1506.

Most preferably, the tobacco materials are those that have beenappropriately cured and aged. Descriptions of various types of curingand aging practices for various types of tobacco are set forth inTobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.)(1999). For example, tobaccos can be flue-cured, air cured, sun curedand fire cured. Tobacco aging conditions and techniques will be apparentto those skilled in the art of tobacco product manufacture.

Especially preferred techniques and conditions for curing flue-curedtobacco are set forth in Nestor et al., Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 20(2003) 467-475 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,974 to Peele, which areincorporated herein by reference. Representative techniques andconditions for air curing tobacco are set forth in Roton et al.,Beitrage Tabakforsch. Int., 21 (2005) 305-320 and Staaf et al., BeitrageTabakforsch. Int., 21 (2005) 321-330, which are incorporated herein byreference. See, also U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 to Williams.

One type of tobacco curing technique involves employment of so-called“sugar curing” methodologies. Tobacco is harvested in a so-called greenor yellowed form. For example, Virginia tobacco leaf or and Burleytobacco stalks possessing leaves can be removed from the stalk usingtraditional harvesting techniques. The harvested tobacco may be in greenor yellow form and may be individual leaf (including stem), or stemmedlamina. Green tobacco can be characterized as tobacco having a form suchthat cells within that harvested plant or plant portion have notexperienced significant or substantial cell death, and cellularrespiration is capable of occurring to some degree. If desired, thoughnot necessary and not preferable, the tobacco can be cured to somedegree using conventional curing techniques before sugar curing.

The harvested tobacco then is subjected to sugar curing techniques,rather than traditional air curing, flue-curing, sun curing or firecuring techniques. The time period between harvest and commencement ofsugar curing can vary, but typically is a time period comparable to thattime period between harvest and traditional air curing, flue-curing, suncuring or fire curing techniques. The tobacco is introduced into asuitable container, vessel or other suitable means for holding thetobacco during the curing process. For example, the tobacco can beplaced within a bin constructed from wooden slats or wire mesh tofacilitate flow of air and removal of moisture from the tobacco.Alternatively, the tobacco can be contained in a sealed container towhich negative pressure may be applied to facilitate removal of moisturefrom the tobacco. Tobacco can be tightly packed or compressed, looselypacked, or positioned so as to allow for movement or agitation duringcuring conditions.

During positioning of the tobacco within the container, the tobacco isplaced in intimate contact with an amount of sugar, or mixture ofsugars, sufficient to facilitate curing of that tobacco. For example,crystalline sugar is sprinkled over the surface of the tobacco, a sugarsyrup is applied over the tobacco, or a concentrated aqueous sugarsolution (e.g., approximately equal weight parts of sugar and water) issprayed onto the surface of the tobacco. The tobacco and the effectiveamount of sugar curing additive then is subjected to curing conditions.

Curing conditions can be ambient conditions or near ambient conditionsof temperature, or conditions different from ambient. The tobacco mayalso be cooled during curing conditions. Preferably, the tobacco isheated during curing conditions (e.g., to temperatures that typically donot exceed about 200° F., often do not exceed about 160° F., andfrequently do not exceed about 130° F.). Prior to curing, green oryellowed tobacco typically possesses a moisture content of greater thanabout 80 percent, by weight.

Curing conditions are carried out for a time sufficient to cause themoisture content of the green or yellow tobacco to drop to less thanabout 20 percent, frequently less than about 15 percent, and often lessthan about 10 percent, by weight. Although curing conditions can be lessthan about 120 days, and often less than about 100 days; typical curingconditions occur over at least about 7 days, usually at least about 20days, frequently at least about 30 days, and often at least about 40days. The timeframe for curing, and the curing conditions, aresufficient to adequately dehydrate the tobacco and yield a tobacco thatcan be characterized as cured. After curing is complete, the tobacco isremoved from the curing container. The cured tobacco can be separatedfrom certain residual amounts of curing additive that is in contact withthe surface of the cured tobacco. The cured tobacco then can be aged orotherwise employed for the production of tobacco products.

Another type of tobacco curing technique involves employment ofso-called “salt curing” methodologies. The harvested tobacco issubjected to salt curing techniques, rather than traditional air curing,flue-curing, sun curing or fire curing techniques. The time periodbetween harvest and commencement of salt curing can vary, but typicallyis a time period comparable to that time period between harvest andtraditional air curing, flue-curing, sun curing or fire curingtechniques. The tobacco is introduced into a suitable container, vesselor other suitable means for holding the tobacco during the curingprocess. For example, the tobacco can be placed within a bin constructedfrom wooden slats or wire mesh to facilitate flow of air and removal ofmoisture from the tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco can be containedin a sealed container to which negative pressure may be applied tofacilitate removal of moisture from the tobacco. Tobacco can be tightlypacked or compressed, loosely packed, or positioned so as to allow formovement or agitation during curing conditions.

During positioning of the tobacco within the container, the tobacco isplaced in intimate contact with an amount of salt, or mixture of salts,sufficient to facilitate curing of that tobacco. For example,crystalline salt is sprinkled over the surface of the tobacco, or aconcentrated aqueous salt solution (e.g., approximately equal weightparts of salt and water) is sprayed onto the surface of the tobacco. Thetobacco and the effective amount of salt curing additive then issubjected to curing conditions.

Curing conditions can be ambient conditions or near ambient conditionsof temperature, or conditions different from ambient. The tobacco mayalso be cooled during curing conditions. Preferably, the tobacco isheated during curing conditions (e.g., to temperatures that typically donot exceed about 200° F., often do not exceed about 160° F., andfrequently do not exceed about 130° F.). Prior to curing, green oryellowed tobacco typically possesses a moisture content of greater thanabout 80 percent, by weight.

Curing conditions are carried out for a time sufficient to cause themoisture content of the green or yellow tobacco to drop to less thanabout 20 percent, frequently less than about 15 percent, and often lessthan about 10 percent, by weight. Although curing conditions can be lessthan about 120 days, and often less than about 100 days; typical curingconditions occur over at least about 7 days, usually at least about 20days, frequently at least about 30 days, and often at least about 40days. The timeframe for curing, and the curing conditions, aresufficient to adequately dehydrate the tobacco and yield a tobacco thatcan be characterized as cured. After curing is complete, the tobacco isremoved from the curing container. The cured tobacco can be separatedfrom certain residual amounts of curing additive that is in contact withthe surface of the cured tobacco. The cured tobacco then can be aged orotherwise employed for the production of tobacco products.

The sugar for sugar curing can be employed in powdered or crystallineform, in the form of a syrup (e.g., high fructose corn syrup), or withinan aqueous solution. The sugar can be a so-called reducing sugar or anon-reducing sugar. Exemplary preferred sugars include sucrose, fructoseand glucose; and other sugars include rhamnose, xylose and maltose.Mixtures of sugars can be used, or a relatively pure form of one sugar(e.g., crystalline sucrose) may be used.

The salt for salt curing can be employed in powdered or crystallineform, or within an aqueous solution. Exemplary preferred salts includesodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodiumbicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and ammoniumchloride. Mixtures of salts can be used, or a relatively pure form ofone salt (e.g., only sodium chloride) may be used.

Mixtures of salts and sugars can be used in the foregoing sugar and saltcuring processes. The amount of salt (or mixture of salts) can rangefrom more than to less than the amount of sugar (or mixture of sugars)in the salt and sugar curing additive mixture. For example, the curingformulation can comprise about 9 weight parts salt to 1 weight partsugar, 3 weight parts salt to 1 weight part sugar, 1 weight part salt to1 weight part sugar, 1 weight part salt to 3 weight parts sugar, or 1weight part salt to 9 weight parts sugar. An exemplary curing additivecan be provided by combining sodium chloride with sucrose, and theresulting mixture can be employed as a solid, crystalline mixture orwithin an aqueous solution. Alternatively, for example, potassiumchloride can be combined with high fructose corn syrup to from a curingadditive.

The amount of curing additive that is employed can vary. Typically, theamount of curing additive that is employed is at least about 5 percent,often at least about 10 percent, based on the dry weight of the curedtobacco. Typically, the amount of curing additive that is employed doesnot exceed about 20 percent, and often does not exceed about 10 percent,of the total weight of the green or yellowed tobacco prior tocommencement of curing. The amount of curing additive is preferablysufficient so as to affect the chemical nature of the tobacco during thecuring process. The amount of curing additive also preferably assists incontrolling the dehydration of the tobacco during the curing process.

Tobacco also can be subjected to a frying process. Tobacco is harvestedin a so-called green or yellowed form. For example, Virginia tobaccoleaf or and Burley tobacco stalks possessing leaves can be removed fromthe stalk using traditional harvesting techniques. The harvested tobaccomay be in green or yellow form and may be individual leaf (includingstem), or stemmed lamina. Green tobacco can be characterized as tobaccohaving a form such that cells within that harvested plant or plantportion have not experienced significant or substantial cell death, andcellular respiration is capable of occurring to some degree. If desired,the harvested tobacco can be freeze dried, flash dried, or otherwisefrozen. Alternatively, the tobacco can be cured. The tobacco is thensubjected to frying techniques. The tobacco is placed (e.g., submerged)into hot oil, preferably using conventional types of frying devices andfrying conditions. Exemplary oils are preferably oils such as canola,safflower, coconut, peanut, sunflower and other vegetable derived oils.Frying is carried out for a period of time sufficient to dehydrate thetobacco, most preferably without overly drying, charring or burning thattobacco. Frying temperatures typically are comparable to those employedduring the frying of vegetables, such as potatoes, spinach, zucchini, orthe like. The fried tobacco can separated from a residual amount of oilthat is in contact with the surface of the fried tobacco. The friedtobacco can then be aged or otherwise employed for the production oftobacco products. Stalks or flowers may also be subjected to the fryingprocess and then later incorporated into tobacco products.

The tobacco used for the manufacture of the tobacco product preferablyis provided in a shredded, ground, granulated, fine particulate orpowder form. The tobacco can have the form of processed tobacco parts orpieces, cured and aged tobacco in essentially natural lamina or stemform, a tobacco extract, extracted tobacco pulp (e.g., using water as asolvent), or a mixture of the foregoing (e.g., a mixture that combinesextracted tobacco pulp with granulated cured and aged natural tobaccolamina).

The tobacco used for the manufacture of the tobacco product also can beprocessed, blended, formulated, combined and mixed with other materialsor ingredients. For example, the tobacco composition can incorporatesalts, sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters or buffers, fillers,flavoring agents, disintegration aids, antioxidants, humectants, andpreservatives. See, for example, those representative components,combination of components, relative amounts of those components andingredients relative to tobacco, and manners and methods for employingthose components, set forth in U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2007/0062549 toHolton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. et al.; and 2008/0029110to Dube et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/781,666 to Muaet al. and 12/181,051 to Brinkley et al.; each of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

Typically, for certain embodiments, the amount of tobacco materialwithin a portion of an individual portion of a smokeless tobacco can be,on a dry weight basis, at least about 10 mg, often at least about 40 mg,and frequently at least about 40 mg; while that amount typically is lessthan about 200 mg, often less than about 150 mg, and frequently lessthan about 100 mg.

Typically, for certain other embodiments, the amount of tobacco materialwithin a portion of an individual portion of a smokeless tobacco can be,on a dry weight basis, at least about 100 mg, often at least about 150mg, and frequently at least about 200 mg; while that amount typically isless than about 800 mg, often less than about 700 mg, and frequentlyless than about 600 mg.

The amount of anthocyanin-type compound incorporated within the tobaccoproduct or tobacco formulation can vary. The amount of anthocyanin-typecompound preferably can be such that the user of tobacco productincorporating anthocyanin-type compound is exposed to less than about1000 mg, frequently less than about 500 mg, often less than about 300 mgor even less than about 200 mg of anthocyanin-type compound as a resultof tobacco product usage during a 24 hour period.

The amount of anthocyanin-type compound preferably can be such that theuser of tobacco product incorporating anthocyanin-type compound isexposed to at least about 0.5 mg, frequently at least about 1 mg, oftenat least about 5 mg or even at least about 10 mg of anthocyanin-typecompound in each portion of tobacco product that the tobacco useremploys (e.g., within each snus pouch, each compressed tobacco pellet,each reconstituted tobacco sheet or strip, or each extruded tobaccostick; or transferred within the mainstream smoke delivered by asmokable).

The amount of anthocyanin-type compound preferably can be such that thesmokeless tobacco product incorporating anthocyanin-type compoundpossesses at least about 1 percent, frequently at least about 5 percent,often at least about 10 percent, and even at least about 20 percent ofanthocyanin-type compound, based on the dry weight of the tobacco withinthe tobacco formulation.

The anthocyanin-type compound can be incorporated into the tobaccoproduct or tobacco formulation in a variety of ways. Theanthocyanin-type compound can be endogenous to components of the tobaccoformulation, and can be endogenous to the tobacco that is present withinthat formulation; the anthocyanin-type compound can be exogenous to thetobacco formulation (i.e., anthocyanin-type compound can be added to thetobacco formulation. Anthocyanin-type compounds can be applied totobacco by spraying techniques or within casing or top dressingformulations. Anthocyanin-type compounds can be encapsulated,incorporated within reconstituted tobaccos, or otherwise incorporatedwithin tobacco compositions. Anthocyanin-type compounds can beincorporated within or applied to papers, filter materials, breakablecapsules, snus fleece, or other tobacco product components. Techniquesfor incorporating exogenous anthocyanin-type components within tobaccoproducts will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of tobaccoproduct manufacture. If the anthocyanin-type compound is added to thetobacco itself, a representative amount of the added anthocyanin-typecompound is at least about 1 percent to 3 percent of the total dryweight of the tobacco, often about 3 percent to 5 percent of the dryweight of the tobacco, and frequently at least 5 percent of the dryweight of the tobacco.

The moisture content of the smokeless tobacco formulation prior to useby a consumer of the formulation may vary. Typically, the moisturecontent of the tobacco formulation prior to insertion into the mouth ofthe tobacco user, is less than about 55 percent, generally is less thanabout 50 percent, and often is less than about 45 percent, based on thetotal weight of the tobacco formulation. For certain tobacco products,such as those incorporating moist snuff or snus-type tobaccocompositions, the moisture content can exceed 20 weight percent, andoften can exceed 30 weight percent; and typical snus-type tobaccocompositions can have moisture contents of about 25 weight percent toabout 50 weight percent, and often about 25 weight percent to about 40weight percent. However, certain types of tobacco formulations havemoisture contents, prior to use, of less than about 15 percent,frequently less than about 10 percent, and often less than about 5percent, based on the total weight of the tobacco formulation. Forcertain tobacco products, such as compressed or extruded tobaccoformulations, the moisture contents can range from about 5 weightpercent to about 20 weight percent, and often about 8 weight percent toabout 15 weight percent.

The acid or base content of a tobacco formulation gives it the abilityto produce a pH. In the present application, “the pH of the tobacco”refers to the ability of the tobacco to produce a certain pH level. ThepH of a preferred smokeless tobacco formulation can vary. Typically, thepH of that formulation is at least about 6.5, and preferably at leastabout 7.5. Typically, the pH of that formulation will not exceed about9, and often will not exceed about 8.5. A representative tobaccoformulation exhibits a pH of about 6.8 to about 8.2. A representativetechnique for determining the pH of a tobacco formulation involvesdispersing 2 g of that formulation in 10 ml of high performance liquidchromatography water, and measuring the pH of the resultingsuspension/solution (e.g., with a pH meter). Various buffering compoundsand formulations for altering the acid or base content of tobacco areset forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/181,051 to Brinkley etal. For example, exemplary buffering compounds include potassiumhydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate,potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate.

If desired, prior to preparation of a smokeless tobacco formulation, thetobacco parts or pieces may be irradiated, or those parts and pieces maybe pasteurized, or otherwise subjected to controlled heat treatment.Additionally, if desired, after preparation of all or a portion of theformulation, the component materials may be irradiated, or thosecomponent materials may be pasteurized, or otherwise subjected tocontrolled heat treatment. For example, a formulation may be prepared,followed by irradiation or pasteurization, and then flavoringingredient(s) may be applied to the formulation. Alternatively, thetobacco formulation can be irradiated or pasteurized after the tobaccoformulation has been formed or shaped (e.g., so as to form compressedpellets, extruded sticks or strips, or formed into a sheet-like shape),or incorporated within a moisture-permeable packet or pouch (e.g., so asto provide individual containers of snus-type smokeless tobacco product.

Typically, the amount of tobacco formulation within each individualportion (e.g., within each snus-type pouch) is such that there is atleast about 50 mg, often at least about 150 mg, and frequently at leastabout 250 mg, of dry weigh tobacco; and less than about 700 mg, oftenless than about 500 mg, and frequently less than about 300 mg, of dryweight tobacco. For example, snus-type smokeless tobacco products canhave the form of so-called “portion snus.”

Typically, the amount of tobacco formulation within each individualportion (e.g., within each compressed tobacco pellet, extruded stick orformed sheet or strip) is such that there is at least about 10 mg, oftenat least about 20 mg, and frequently at least about 30 mg, of dry weightobacco; and less than about 200 mg, often less than about 150 mg, andfrequently less than about 100 mg, of dry weight tobacco.

It should be noted that there could be a wide range of changes made tothe present embodiments without departing from the scope of the claimedinvention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detaileddescription be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and thatit be understood that it is the following claims, including allequivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of thisinvention.

1. A tobacco product incorporating an exogenous amount of at least oneanthocyanin-type compound.
 2. The tobacco product of claim 1, whereinsaid exogenous amount of said at least one anthocyanin-type compound isat least 1-3 percent of the dry weight of tobacco in said tobaccoproduct.
 3. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein said exogenousamount of said at least one anthocyanin-type compound is at least 3-5percent of the dry weight of tobacco in said tobacco product.
 4. Thetobacco product of claim 1, wherein said exogenous amount of said atleast one anthocyanin-type compound is at least about 5 percent of thedry weight of tobacco in said tobacco product.
 5. The tobacco product ofclaim 1, wherein a user of said tobacco product is exposed to less thanabout 1000 mg of said anthocyanin-type compound over a 24 hour period.6. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein a user of said tobaccoproduct is exposed to less than about 500 mg of said anthocyanin-typecompound over a 24 hour period.
 7. The tobacco product of claim 1,wherein a user of said tobacco product is exposed to less than about 300mg of said anthocyanin-type compound over a 24 hour period.
 8. Thetobacco product of claim 1, wherein a user of said tobacco product isexposed to less than about 200 mg of said anthocyanin-type compound overa 24 hour period.
 9. The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein a user ofsaid tobacco product is exposed to at least about 0.5 mg of saidanthocyanin-type compound in each portion of said tobacco product. 10.The tobacco product of claim 1, wherein a user of said tobacco productis exposed to at least about 1.0 mg of said anthocyanin-type compound ineach portion of said tobacco product.
 11. The tobacco product of claim1, wherein a user of said tobacco product is exposed to at least about5.0 mg of said anthocyanin-type compound in each portion of said tobaccoproduct.
 12. A tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouthof a user of that product, the tobacco product comprising: awater-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobaccoformulation including a granular tobacco composition and an exogenousamount of an anthocyanin-type compound.
 13. A tobacco product configuredfor insertion into the mouth of a user of that product, the tobaccoproduct comprising: a tobacco formulation including a granular tobaccocomposition enclosed within a water-permeable pouch, wherein saidwater-permeable pouch has been reacted with an anthocyanin-typecompound.
 14. A tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouthof a user of that product, the tobacco product comprising: a tobaccoformulation including a granular tobacco composition enclosed within awater-permeable pouch, wherein said water-permeable pouch is coated withan anthocyanin-type compound.
 15. A method of curing tobacco, saidmethod comprising the steps of: providing a tobacco material; contactingthe surface of said tobacco material with an amount of a curing additivecomprising an amount of at least one sugar; and curing the tobaccomaterial under conditions of temperature and for a time sufficient toproduce cured tobacco.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said curingadditive further comprises an amount of at least one salt.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein said amount of sugar is sufficient tointeract chemically with said tobacco.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein said sugar is selected from the group comprising sucrose,fructose, glucose, rhamnose, xylose, maltose or combinations thereof.19. The method of claim 16, wherein said salt is selected from the groupcomprising sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodiumbicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, ammoniumchloride or combinations thereof.
 20. The method of claim 15, whereinsaid sugar is in the form of a syrup.
 21. The method of claim 15,wherein said sugar is in the form of an aqueous solution.
 22. The methodof claim 16, wherein said salt is in the form of an aqueous solution.23. The method of claim 16, wherein the ratio of said salt to said sugaris about 9 to
 1. 24. The method of claim 16, wherein the ratio of saidsalt to said sugar is about 3 to
 1. 25. The method of claim 16, whereinthe ratio of said salt to said sugar is about 1 to
 1. 26. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the ratio of said salt to said sugar is about 1 to 9.27. The method of claim 16, wherein the ratio of said salt to said sugaris about 1 to
 3. 28. The method of claim 15, wherein said amount of saidcuring additive is at least about 5 percent of the dry weight of saidtobacco.
 29. The method of claim 15, wherein said amount of said curingadditive is at least about 10 percent of the dry weight of said tobacco.30. The method of claim 15, wherein said amount of said curing additivedoes not exceed about 20 percent of the dry weight of said tobacco. 31.The method of claim 15, wherein said amount of said curing additive doesnot exceed about 10 percent of the dry weight of said tobacco.
 32. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising the step of separating at least aportion of said curing additive from said cured tobacco.
 33. A method ofcuring tobacco, said method comprising the steps of: providing a tobaccomaterial; contacting the surface of said tobacco material with an amountof a mixture of at least one sugar and at least one salt; and curing thetobacco material under conditions of temperature and for a timesufficient to produce cured tobacco.
 34. A tobacco product incorporatingtobacco flowers.
 35. A tobacco product incorporating at least onechemical compound isolated from tobacco flowers.
 36. A tobacco productincorporating at least one artificially synthesized chemical compoundfound in tobacco flowers.